Find out how popular the last name Prohaska is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Prohaska.

Prohaska, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Prohaska surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Prohaska in America

Prohaska is the 18378th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Prohaska surname appeared 1,507 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Prohaska.

We can also compare 2010 data for Prohaska to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Prohaska

The surname Prohaska originates from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where it first emerged in the early 15th century. It is derived from the Czech word "prohazka," which means "archer" or "crossbowman." This suggests that the name may have been associated with individuals who were skilled in the use of bows and crossbows, potentially serving as archers or soldiers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Prohaska can be found in a document from 1430, where it is mentioned as "Prohaczka." This spelling variation reflects the evolution of the name over time and the influence of regional dialects.

In the 16th century, the name Prohaska appeared in various historical records, including local tax rolls and parish registers. It was particularly prevalent in the regions of Bohemia and Moravia, which were part of the Habsburg Monarchy at the time.

Notably, in the early 17th century, a prominent individual named Jan Prohaska (1585-1654) held the position of a burgrave, or castellan, in the town of Přerov, located in present-day Czech Republic. His legacy serves as an example of the name's association with positions of authority and respect.

Another historically significant figure was Jiri Prohaska (1749-1830), a Czech composer and organist who contributed to the development of sacred music during the Classical period. His compositions and performances left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of his time.

Moving forward to the 19th century, the name Prohaska gained further recognition with the birth of Alois Prohaska (1865-1935), an Austrian military officer who served in World War I. His military exploits and leadership during the conflict earned him a respected place in Austrian military history.

It is worth noting that the name Prohaska has also been associated with various place names in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. For instance, the village of Prohaska near the town of Nové Město na Moravě bears a resemblance to the surname, indicating a possible connection between the name and specific geographical locations.

Throughout its history, the surname Prohaska has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from military personnel and government officials to artists and composers. Its rich etymology and widespread presence across Central Europe serve as a testament to its enduring legacy and cultural significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Prohaska

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Prohaska.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Prohaska was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Prohaska has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Prohaska was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Prohaska, please contact us.

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